Apn-ambr authorization in gprs mobile network

ABSTRACT

Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving a credit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway (PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining that an operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBR value; setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to the APN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule; setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowest of the APN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA) message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate generally tocommunications networking.

BACKGROUND

General radio packet service (GPRS) is a packet oriented data service onthe 2G and 3G cellular communication system's global system for mobilecommunication (GSM). GPRS is a best effort packet based service where auser is charged for data usage. GPRS is now part of the 3rd generationpartnership project (3GPP). When a GPRS service request is made anaccess point name aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) may specify theAMBR that the service requests. The APN-AMBR services as a limit on theamount of bandwidth that may be consumed by the session.

SUMMARY

A brief summary of various exemplary embodiments is presented below.Some simplifications and omissions may be made in the following summary,which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the variousexemplary embodiments, but not to limit the scope of the invention.Detailed descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment adequate toallow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventiveconcepts will follow in later sections,

Various embodiments described herein relate to a method performed by apolicy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving acredit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway(PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocolconnectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining thatan operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate(APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBRvalue; setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to theAPN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule; setting a GPRSIP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to thelowest of the APN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule and asubscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA)message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.

Various embodiments described herein relate to a method performed by apolicy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving acredit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway(PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocolconnectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining thatno operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate(APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBRvalue; setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to anAPN-AMBR value for a subscriber associated with the GPRS IP-CAN session;setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBRDL/UL) value to the lowest of the subscriber APN-AMBR value and asubscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA)message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values.

Various embodiments described herein relate to a method performed by apolicy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: receiving acredit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway(PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocolconnectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining thatno operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate(APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message does not include anAPN-AMBR value; setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit ratedownload/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowest of a subscriber APN-AMBRvalue and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit controlanswer (CCA) message to the PGW with the selected APN-MBR DL/UL valuesand without an APN-AMBR value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand various exemplary embodiments, referenceis made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary subscriber network 100 for providingvarious data services;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first example of message flow regarding APN-AMBR;

FIG. 3 illustrates a second example of message flow regarding APN-AMBR;

FIG. 4 illustrates a third example of message flow regarding APN-AMBR;

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth example of message flow regarding APN-AMBR;and

FIG. 6 illustrates a method used by the PCRN to determine the AN-AMBRand MBR DL/UL values for a GPRS session.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description and drawings illustrate the principles of the invention.It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be ableto devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly describedor shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are includedwithin its scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein areprincipally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid thereader in understanding the principles of the invention and the conceptscontributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to beconstrued as being without limitation to such specifically recitedexamples and conditions. Additionally, the term, “or,” as used herein,refers to a non-exclusive or (i.e., and/or), unless otherwise indicated(e.g., “or else” or “or in the alternative”). Also, the variousembodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, assome embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments toform new embodiments. As used herein, the terms “context” and “contextobject” will be understood to be synonymous, unless otherwise indicated.

Long term evolution (LTE) systems may include the use of GPRS networks.Legacy GPRS networks may not use APN-AMBR AVP, while newer GPRS networksmay use APN-AMBR to regulate non-GBR bearers of a GPRS session.Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to specify GPRS session APN-AMBRaccording to different subscriber profiles, and the changes to thesubscriber profile should be reflected dynamically in APN-AMBR of thecorresponding session. When a mobile user moves from different GPRSaccess networks, e.g. from an network where APN-AMBR is not used to anetwork where APN-AMBR is used or from a network where APN-AMBR is usedto a network where APN-AMBR is not used, this change needs to bereflected in PCRF decision. There is a need to develop comprehensivestrategy in the implementation of an LTE system in order to addressabove mentioned challenges. Embodiments of systems and methods toaddress these issues with APN-AMBR are described below. In theseembodiments, a subscriber APN-AMBR or an APN-AMBR authorized by a policyand charging rules node (PCRN) may be used in setting for the GPRSsession as described in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary subscriber network 100 for providingvarious data services. Exemplary subscriber network 100 may be atelecommunications network or other network for providing access tovarious services. Exemplary subscriber network 100 may include userequipment 110, base station 120, evolved packet core (EPC) 130, packetdata network 140, and application node (AN) 150.

User equipment 110 may be a device that communicates with packet datanetwork 140 for providing the end-user with a data service. Such dataservice may include, for example, voice communication, text messaging,multimedia streaming, and Internet access. More specifically, in variousexemplary embodiments, user equipment 110 is a personal or laptopcomputer, wireless email device, cell phone, smart phone, televisionset-top box, or any other device capable of communicating with otherdevices via EPC 130.

Base station 120 may be a device that enables communication between userequipment 110 and EPC 130. For example, base station 120 may be a basetransceiver station such as an evolved nodeB (eNodeB) as defined by 3GPPstandards. Thus, base station 120 may be a device that communicates withuser equipment 110 via a first medium, such as radio waves, andcommunicates with EPC 130 via a second medium, such as Ethernet cable.Base station 120 may be in direct communication with EPC 130 or maycommunicate via a number of intermediate nodes (not shown). In variousembodiments, multiple base stations (not shown) may be present toprovide mobility to user equipment 110. Note that in various alternativeembodiments, user equipment 110 may communicate directly with evolvedpacket core 130. In such embodiments, base station 120 may not bepresent.

Evolved packet core (EPC) 130 may be a device or network of devices thatprovides user equipment 110 with gateway access to packet data network140. EPC 130 may further charge a subscriber for use of provided dataservices and ensure that particular quality of experience (QoE)standards are met. Thus, EPC 130 may be implemented, at least in part,according to the 3GPP TS 29.212, 29.213, and 29.214 standards.Accordingly, EPC 130 may include a serving gateway (SGW) 132, a packetdata network gateway (PGW) 134, a policy and charging rules node (PCRN)136 and a subscriber profile repository (SPR) 138.

Serving gateway (SGW) 132 may be a device that manages data pathsbetween the base station 120 and PGW 134. The data paths may includevirtual containers called bearers with unique Quality of Service (QoS)characteristics. The bearers may include virtual connections calledservice data flows (SDFs). In various embodiments where user equipment110 is a mobile device and base station 120 is an eNodeB, SGW 132 may beresponsible for establishing new bearers when the mobile device changeseNodeB. The SGW 132 may implement a bearer binding and event reportingfunction (BBERF) according to the 3GPP TS 29.212, 29.213, and 29.214standards. In various embodiments, EPC 130 may include multiple servinggateways.

Packet data network gateway (PGW) 134 may be a device that providesgateway access to packet data network 140. PGW 134 may be the finaldevice within the EPC 130 that receives packets sent by user equipment110 toward packet data network 140 via SGW 132. PGW 134 may include apolicy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) that enforces policy andcharging control (PCC) rules for each service data flow (SDF). Thus, PGW134 may be a policy and charging enforcement node (PCEN). The PGW mayact as a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) when the subscriber network100 implements a GPRS network. PGW 134 may request new PCC rules fromPCRN 136 by sending a CCR message via the Gx interface. PGW 134 may alsoinclude a number of additional features such as, for example, packetfiltering, deep packet inspection, and subscriber charging support.

Policy and charging rules node (PCRN) 136 may be a device that receivesrequests for application services, generates PCC rules, and provides PCCrules to the PGW 134 and/or other PCENs (not shown). PCRN 136 may be incommunication with AN 150 via an Rx interface. PCRN 136 may receive aservice request in the form of an AA-Request (AAR) 160 from AN 150. PCRN136 may also be in communication with SGW 132 and PGW 134 via a Gxx anda Gx interface, respectively. PCRN 136 may receive a service request inthe form of a credit control request (CCR) 170 from SGW 132 or PGW 134.In various embodiments, AAR 160 and CCR 170 may represent twoindependent service requests to be processed separately, while in otherembodiments, AAR 160 and CCR 170 may carry information regarding asingle service request and PCRN 136 may create at least one PCC rulebased on the combination of AAR 160 and CCR 170. In various embodiments,PCRN 136 may be capable of handling both single-message andpaired-message service requests.

Upon creating a new PCC rule or upon request by the PGW 134, PCRN 136may provide a PCC rule to PGW 134 via the Gx interface. In variousembodiments, such as those implementing the PMIP standard for example,PCRN 136 may also generate QoS rules. Upon creating a new QoS rule orupon request by the SGW 132, PCRN 136 may provide a QoS rule to SGW 132via the Gxx interface.

As will be discussed in further detail below, PCRN 136 may receive arequest to update a PCC rule with new filters. PCRN 136 may receive anupdate CCR 170 from PGW 134 indicating one or more new filters and areference filter. PCRN 136 may determine an existing PCC rule andrelated information based on the reference filter. PCRN 136 maydetermine new QoS-information for the PCC rule using informationregarding the new filters and existing filters. PCRN 136 may alsocontrol for removed filters and flow direction. PCRN 136 may generate anew PCC rule to replace the existing PCC rule.

Subscription profile repository (SPR) 138 may be a device that storesinformation related to subscribers to the subscriber network 100. Thus,SPR 138 may include a machine-readable storage medium such as read-onlymemory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media,optical storage media, flash-memory devices, and/or similar storagemedia. SPR 138 may be a component of PCRN 136 or may constitute anindependent node within EPC 130. Data stored by SPR 138 may include anidentifier of each subscriber and indications of subscriptioninformation for each subscriber such as bandwidth limits, chargingparameters, subscriber priority, and subscriber service preferences.

Packet data network 140 may be any network for providing datacommunications between user equipment 110 and other devices connected topacket data network 140, such as AN 150. Further, packet data network140 may provide, for example, phone and/or Internet service to varioususer devices in communication with packet data network 140.

Application Node (AN) 150 may be a device that provides an applicationservice to user equipment 110. Thus, AN 150 may be a server or otherdevice that provides, for example, streaming video service to userequipment 110. AN 150 may further be in communication with the PCRN 136of the EPC 130 via an Rx interface. When AN 150 is to begin providingapplication service to user equipment 110, AN 150 may generate a servicerequest message, such as an AA-Request (AAR) according to the Diameterprotocol, to notify the PCRN 136 that resources should be allocated forthe application service. Such an service request message may includeinformation such as an identification of the subscriber using theapplication service and an identification of the particular SDFs andfilters that must be established within an internet protocolconnectivity access network (IP-CAN) session in order to provide therequested service. AN 150 may communicate such an service request to thePCRN via the Rx interface 215.

Four examples will be described below illustrating embodiments that setthe APN-AMBR in various situations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first example of message flow regarding APN-AMBR.In this example, the PGW 134 sends a CCR without the APN-AMBR DL/UL AVPs(download/upload attribute value pairs) or QCI_(—)9 maximum bit ratedownload/upload (MBR DL/UL) AVPs to the PCRN 136. The PCRN 136 sends aSPR profile request to the SPR 138 to request the APN-AMBR and MBR DL/ULinformation of the subscriber. The SPR 138 sends a response to the PCRN136 indicating that the APN-AMBR limit DL/UP=30 Mbps and that theQCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL=60 Mbps. The PCRN 136 determines that the primarybearer QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL value should be 30 Mpbs based upon theAPN-AMBR limit of 30 Mbps even though the subscriber has an authorizedQCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL=60 Mbps. In this case the lower APN-AMBR value is thelimiting value and hence becomes the limit. The PCRN 136 then sends aCCA message indicating that the QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL=30 Mbps and does notspecify an APN-AMBR because there was no APN-AMBR specified in the CCRreceived from the PGW 134. In the above description as well as thedescriptions below, the CCR and CCA messages may be initializationmessages or modification messages.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second example of message flow regarding APN-AMBR.In this example, the PGW 134 sends a CCR with the APN-AMBR DL/UL=50 Mbpsand the QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL 50 Mbps to the PCRN 136. The PCRN 136 sends aSPR profile request to the SPR 138 to request the APN-AMBR and MBR DL/ULinformation of the subscriber. The SPR 138 sends a response to the PCRN136 indicating that the APN-AMBR limit DL/UL=60 Mbps and that theQCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL=30 Mbps. The PCRN 136 determines that the APN-AMBRvalue should be 60 mbps based upon the subscribers APN-AMBR value. ThePCRN 136 determines that the primary bearer QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL valueshould be 30 Mpbs based upon the QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL limit of 30 Mbpseven though the subscriber has an authorized APN-AMBR=60 Mbps. In thiscase the lower QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL value is the limiting value and hencebecomes the limit. The PCRN 136 then sends a CCA message indicating thatthe QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL=30 Mbps and that the APN-AMBR=60 Mbps.

FIG. 4 illustrates a third example of message flow regarding APN-AMBR.In this example, the PGW 134 sends a CCR without the APN-AMBR DL/UL AVPs(download/upload attribute value pairs) or QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL AVPs tothe PCRN 136. The PCRN 136 determines that an operator policy ruleaction sets the APN-AMBR=100 Mbps. The PCRN 136 sends a SPR profilerequest to the SPR 138 to request the APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL informationof the subscriber. The SPR 138 sends a response to the PCRN 136indicating that the APN-AMBR limit DL/UP=30 Mbps and that the QCI_(—)9MBR DL/UL=60 Mbps. The PCRN 136 determines that the APN-AMBR valueshould be 100 Mbps based upon the operator policy rule. The PCRN 136determines that the primary bearer QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL value should be 60Mpbs based upon the QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL limit of 60 Mbps even though thesubscriber has an authorized APN-AMBR=30 Mbps. In this case the APN-AMBRvalue has been set to 100 Mpbs so the subscriber QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/ULvalue of 60 Mbps is the limiting value and hence becomes the limit. ThePCRN 136 then sends a CCA message indicating that the QCI_(—)9 MBRDL/UL=60 Mbps and that the APN-AMBR=100 Mbps.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth example of message flow regarding APN-AMBR.This example begins the same as that in FIG. 3. The PGW 134 sends a CCRwith the APN-AMBR DL/UL=50 Mbps and the QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL 50 Mbps tothe PCRN 136. The PCRN 136 sends a SPR profile request to the SPR 138 torequest the APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL information of the subscriber. TheSPR 138 sends a response to the PCRN 136 indicating that the APN-AMBRlimit DL/UL=60 Mbps and that the QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL=30 Mbps. The PCRN136 determines that the APN-AMBR value should be 60 mbps based upon thesubscribers APN-AMBR value. The PCRN 136 determines that the primarybearer QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL value should be 30 Mpbs based upon theQCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL limit of 30 Mbps even though the subscriber has anauthorized APN-AMBR=60 Mbps. In this case the lower QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/ULvalue is the limiting value and hence becomes the limit. The PCRN 136then sends a CCA message indicating that the QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL=30 Mbpsand that the APN-AMBR=60 Mbps. Next, the subscriber profile APN-AMBR ischanged to 1 Mbps from 60 Mbps. The SPR 138 sends a SPR updatenotification to the PCRN 136. The PCRN determines that the newsubscriber APN-AMBR of 1 Mbps is now the limiting factor for thesession. Accordingly, the PCRN 136 then sends a RAR message indicatingthat the QCI_(—)9 MBR DL/UL=1 Mbps and that the APN-AMBR=1 Mbps

FIG. 6 illustrates a method used by the PCRN to determine the AN-AMBRand MBR DL/UL values for a GPRS session. The method begins at step 605.The PCRN 136 first receives CCR for a GPRS IP-CAN session request 610.Next, the PCRN 136 determines if an operator policy rule action for theAPN-AMBR has been specified 615. If not, the PCRN 136 next determines ifthe CCR includes an APN-AMBR 620. If not, then the PCRN sets the GPRSsession MBR DL/UL to the lowest of the subscriber APN-AMBR and thesubscriber MBR DL/UL 625. The PCRN 136 then sends a CCA message to thePGW 134 with the selected MBR DL/UL value and without an APN-AMBR value630. The method then ends at 635.

If an operator policy rule action for the APN-AMBR has been specified615, the PCRN sets the GPRS session APN-AMBR to the APN-AMBR valuespecified by the operator policy rule action 645. Next, the PCRN 136sets the GPRS session MBR DL/UL to the lowest of the operator specifiedAPN-AMBR and the subscriber MBR DL/UL 650. The PCRN 136 then sends a CCAmessage to the PGW 134 with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values655. The method then ends at 635.

If the PCRN 136 determines that the CCR includes an APN-AMBR 620, thePCRN 136 sets the GPRS session APN-AMBR to the subscriber APN-AMBR value655. The PCRN 136 then sets the GPRS session MBR DL/UL to the lowest ofthe subscriber APN-AMBR and the subscriber MBR DL/UL 670. The PCRN 136then sends a CCA message to the PGW 134 with the selected APN-AMBR andMBR DL/UL values 655. The method then ends at 635.

The method described in FIG. 6 may also be used when the subscriberAPN-AMBR is updated. In such a case, the PCRN would receive a SPR updatenotification at 610. Further, the PCRN 136 would send a RAR message tothe PGW 134 instead of a CCA message to update the APN-AMBR and MBRDL/UL values at steps 630 and 655. Otherwise, the APN-AMBR and MBR DL/ULvalues will be selected in the same manner.

It should be apparent from the foregoing description that variousexemplary embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware.Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments may be implemented asinstructions stored on a machine-readable storage medium, which may beread and executed by at least one processor to perform the operationsdescribed in detail herein. A machine-readable storage medium mayinclude any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by amachine, such as a personal or laptop computer, a server, or othercomputing device. Thus, a tangible and non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory(RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memorydevices, and similar storage media. Further, as used herein, the term“processor” will be understood to encompass a microprocessor, fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or any other device capable of performing the functionsdescribed herein.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any blockdiagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitryembodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, it will beappreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transitiondiagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes whichmay be substantially represented in machine readable media and soexecuted by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer orprocessor is explicitly shown.

Although the various exemplary embodiments have been described in detailwith particular reference to certain exemplary aspects thereof, itshould be understood that the invention is capable of other embodimentsand its details are capable of modifications in various obviousrespects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variationsand modifications can be effected while remaining within the spirit andscope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure,description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only and do notin any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a policy and charging rulesnode (PCRN), the method comprising: receiving a credit control request(CCR) message from a packet data network gateway (PGW) based upon ageneral radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocol connectivityaccess network (IP-CAN) session request; determining that an operatorpolicy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value;setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to the APN-AMBRvalue specified by the operator policy rule; setting a GPRS IP-CANsession maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowestof the APN-AMBR value specified by the operator policy rule and asubscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA)message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending a subscriber profilerepository (SPR) request message to a SPR; receiving a SPR responsemessage from the SPR including a subscriber APN-AMBR and the subscriberMBR DL/UL.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a SPRupdate notification message from the SPR including an updated subscriberAPN-AMBR and an updated subscriber MBR DL/UL; re-authorizing APN-AMBRand MBR-DL/UL values according to corresponding SPR update, previous GWinput and PCRF policy rules; sending a request for reauthorization (RAR)message to the PGW with the updated APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the CCR message is a CCR initializemessage.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the CCR message is a CCRupdate message.
 6. A non-transitory program storage device readable by amachine, embodying a program of instructions executable by the machineto perform method steps of claim
 1. 7. A method performed by a policyand charging rules node (PCRN), the method comprising: receiving acredit control request (CCR) message from a packet data network gateway(PGW) based upon a general radio packet service (GPRS) internet protocolconnectivity access network (IP-CAN) session request; determining thatno operator policy rule specifies an aggregate maximum bit rate(APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCR message includes an APN-AMBRvalue; setting an APN-AMBR value for the GPRS IP-CAN session to anAPN-AMBR value for a subscriber associated with the GPRS IP-CAN session;setting a GPRS IP-CAN session maximum bit rate download/upload (MBRDL/UL) value to the lowest of the subscriber APN-AMBR value and asubscriber MBR DL/UL value; and sending a credit control answer (CCA)message to the PGW with the selected APN-AMBR and MBR DL/UL values. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising: sending a subscriber profilerepository (SPR) request message to a SPR; receiving a SPR responsemessage from the SPR including the subscriber APN-AMBR and thesubscriber MBR DL/UL.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:receiving a SPR update notification message from the SPR including anupdated subscriber APN-AMBR and an updated subscriber MBR DL/UL;re-authorizing APN-AMBR and MBR-DL/UL values according to correspondingSPR update, previous GW input and PCRF policy rules; sending a requestfor reauthorization (RAR) message to the PGW with the updated APN-AMBRand MBR DL/UL values.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the CCR messageis a CCR initialize message.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the CCRmessage is a CCR update message.
 12. A non-transitory program storagedevice readable by a machine, embodying a program of instructionsexecutable by the machine to perform method steps of claim
 7. 13. Amethod performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the methodcomprising: receiving a credit control request (CCR) message from apacket data network gateway (PGW) based upon a general radio packetservice (GPRS) internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN)session request; determining that no operator policy rule specifies anaggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) value; determining that the CCRmessage does not include an APN-AMBR value; setting a GPRS IP-CANsession maximum bit rate download/upload (MBR DL/UL) value to the lowestof a subscriber APN-AMBR value and a subscriber MBR DL/UL value; andsending a credit control answer (CCA) message to the PGW with theselected APN-MBR DL/UL values and without an APN-AMBR value.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: sending a subscriber profilerepository (SPR) request message to a SPR; receiving a SPR responsemessage from the SPR including the subscriber APN-AMBR and thesubscriber MBR DL/UL.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:receiving a SPR update notification message from the SPR including anupdated subscriber APN-AMBR and an updated subscriber MBR DL/UL;re-authorizing APN-AMBR and MBR-DL/UL values according to correspondingSPR update, previous GW input and PCRF policy rules; sending a requestfor reauthorization (RAR) message to the PGW with the selected APN-MBRDL/UL values and without an APN-AMBR value.
 16. The method of claim 13,wherein the CCR message is a CCR initialize message.
 17. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the CCR message is a CCR update message.
 18. Anon-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, embodying aprogram of instructions executable by the machine to perform methodsteps of claim 13.